Electrical switch and control circuit therefor



May 9, 1933. J. c. BOGLE 1,908,495

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Original Filed.Nov. 19, 1927 .ZIU N MOTOR K IGNITION QM g7 48 Z13 LEAxY/ TRANSFORMER 21 HOLD COIL HEAT COIL s-rAcK .SW/ TCH Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca JOHN C. Boom, or arm roaas'r, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, as HESNE assmn'unn'rs, 'ro

IINNEAPOLWKONEYWELL BFBULATOR COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTL' A 'COBPORATIQN OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Original application fled 'Iovember 19, 1927, Serial Ito. 234,340. Divided and our application filed January 10, 1929, Serial K0. 381,554. Renewed Kay 11, 1982.

This ap lication is a division of applica- 'tion Seria No. 234,340, filed Nov. 19, 1927,

for electrical switches, by the applicant of to an electrical switch in a safety control circuit as used for controlling the operation of force-feed heating systems and the like, as for example, for the purpose of heating the boiler or furnace, a burner is employed which is supplied with fuel through a conduit to be opened and closed at will through automatic means such as a pump operated by i an electrical motor or valve operated by elec troma nets or otherwise. Wit

reference to an automatic heating s stem of the force feed type, the controls t ere'for ma comprise a room thermostatic switch for irecting the generation of heat in a room or other enclosure in order to guard against excessive variations in the temperature therein; a thermostatic switch for directing the specific limits of pressure or temperature to be obtained by the boiler or furnace; and other controls which, in the event of failure of the controls previously recited to promote or sustain desirable conditions of combustion within the furnace or boiler when actuated upon by these aforementioned controls terminate'the operation of the system. 'These latter controls will hereinafter be referred to as safety controls.

The present invention includes an assembl of all of the aforementioned controls in a low voltage circuit for use in heating systems, and particularly those systems wherein the burners emplo -s lit phase motors for forcing the fuel to t e urner, these motors having a relatively slow riod of starting, that is, a long interval a ter the motor has been energized before the starting switch has opened due to the attainment of the news sar speed. It will be noted that this contro circuit is particularl applicable to force feed oil burners, the a vantage being that such a control, as will hereinafter be described, is more or less independent of curof the tiltable switches to change their circuit connections, whereas the hold coil is unable to overcome the weights of the mechanisms of both of the switch members and one of the switches is permitted to operate hack into its original position and original circuit connection, while the other retains its changed circuit connection. These coils are operated and controlled by a low voltage circuit obtained through a constant current transformer, or commonly known as a leaky transformer, whereby an electrical supply is obtained of nearly invariable volt age.

For a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the description and drawing forming a part of this specification, in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the electrical control circuit, and the electrical switches and devices disposed therein.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing one of the changed positions of one of the switchin mechanisms.

ig. 3 is a view similar to Fi 2, showing a changed position of the switc ing mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 2, showing.

a further changed position of the switching mechanism.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, one of the electrical switches comprises a casing 10 for enclosing the operating mechanism. A tiltable mercury contactor switch 13 is'mounted in a clip 14 which latter is in turn fixedly mount ed on an arm 15. One end of the arm 15 is pivotally secured as by means of the screw i 16 to the mounting plate 12, the free end of the arm resting on a stop 17. Thearm 15 is slightly inclined to the right in its normal resting position in order to cause the mercury 5 to remain on the right-hand side in the conm trodes disposed at the left-hand end t ereof,

the mercur in the contactor being adapted to bridge t e electrodes when the contactor is tilted to one of its positions. This contactor will hereinafter be referredto as the ignition switch as the electrodes therein are connected to the ignition means in the control system as will hereinafter be more fully described.

An electromagnet 18 substantially of the horseshoe t pc is fixedly secured to the mounting p ate 12 by suitable means. The electromagnet comprises a substantially U- shaped core member preferabl formed of iron laminations. A pair of coils 20 and 21 are disposed on the vertically extending arms 22 and 23, respectively, of t e U-shaped core member, the upper ends of these arms being curved and having a common radius. The

coil 20 will hereinafter be referred to as a' cast in a single piece, is dis osed above the ends of the vertically extending arms Y22 and 23 and centrally thereof, the armature being pivotally mounted on the mounting plate 12 and the center therefor coinciding with the center of the radii of the curved upper end portions of the vertically extending arms 22 and 23.

The normal inoperative position of the armature 24 is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, one end 25 thereof being below its coacting member 22 and the other end 26 being above its coacting member 23; A projecting member 27 is secured to the armature 24 adjacent the end 25 thereof for coacting with the arm 15 of the ignition switch. It will be noted that the top of the projecting member 27 in Fig. 1 is a substantial distance below the arm 15.

A mercury contactor tube 28 is disposed on the armature 24 and is of the usual type comprising a hermetically sealed glass container aving a ir of spaced cooperating electrodes. at t e'right-ha-nd end thereof and a body of current conducting fluid, such as mercury, for making-and-breaking the electrical circuit therethrough. The normal inopera tive position of this switch, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, permik the mercury in the contactor tube to remain at the left-hand end whereby the latter are both thereof out ofengagement with the electrodes? In the operation of the electrical switch just described, when the ull coil 20 is energized, suflicient power is o tained for the electromagnet to rotate the armature 24 to a posithe end 25.of the armature 24 to complete the magnetic field through the core 18 and the armature 24. In this operation, the projecting member 27 abuts the arm 15 to raise the ignition switch and make an electrical circuit through the contactor 13. This position is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing, wherein both the contactor 13 and the contactor 28 are in a closed circuit ition.

When the pu l coil 20 is deenergized and the hold coil 21 is energized, the latter is unable to overcome the combined weights of the armature 24 and the ignition switch, permitted to drop back toward the position rom which they had been moved by the pull coil until the arm 15 rests on the stop member 17. Having been relieved of the weight of the ignition switch, the hold coil has suflicient power to hold the armature 24 in .a position such as is shown in F g. 4 of the drawing, wherein the ignition sw tch 13 is open and the contactor 28 remains in a closed circuit position.

When the hold coil 21 is deenergized, the armature 24 is permitted to dro by its own weight to a position such as is s own in Fig.

2, or itsnormal inoperative POSltlOD. After the hold coil 21 has been deenergized, it will be found incapable of attracting the arma- 'ture 24 to close the circuit through the contactor 28, which is the main or motor switch upon having a supply of energy restored thereto.

It is to be particularly. noted in the above described construction that a definite midway position has been established between the limits of movement of the main switch 28 by means of the stop member 17 which latter not only limits the downward movement of the arm 15 and the contactor mounted thereon, but also limits the upward movement of the armature 24. This construction, therefore, obviates the necessity of determining an actual apportionment of the pull of the magnetic fluxto poise the main switch in space at exactly the right angle to operate the tiltable switches.

A heat coil=52, mounted on the mounting plate 12, is of the self-solderin type of the neral character shown in nited States atents, No. 817,160 of 1906 to Cook and No. 997,838 of 1911 to Leeper. The heat coil 52 is a time limit cut out having-an electrical heating element 52b, which, after a predetermined time, allows automatic separation ing application of which the present applicatrical devices represented in this control circuit comprise a pressure switch 32 for installation on a steam or vapor boiler, a stack switch '33 for installation in the stack of a sible and contractible bellows type. One end of the bellows 36 contacts with an actuating arm-37, pivoted atits lower end, the upper-or free end, thereof being secured to a tilta-bly mounted mercury. tube contactor 38 of the usual type having a pair of spaced'cooperating electrrxles'atone end thereof and a body of mercury therein for makiug-and-breaking an electrical circuit therethrough. The bellows 36 are filled with a highly volatile fluid which renders the bellows sensitive to the slightest temperature change. Upon an expansion and contraction of the bellows 36, the actuating arm 37 is moved and causes the switch '38 to which it is connected to tilt ,and-to open'or close the electrical circuit therethrough.

The thermostatically operated stack switch 33 forms a part of the safety control of the systemand comprises a casing having a tiltable mercury contactor tube 39 disposed therein and mounted on a rod extending through the casing. The rodis actuated by means of a helical bimetallic element, or any other suitable thermostatic means whereby a rotation of the rod may be obtained. The switch 33 is mounted on the stack of the heating unit and is actuated by the heat of combustion therefrom. The operation of this device is more clearly illustrated and described in a copending application. filed December 17, 1925, bearing serial No. 75,895, to which reference may be had for a more detailed description of the operation thereof.

The contactor 39 comprises a hermetically sealed glass container having two pair of spaced cooperating electrodes disposed therein and a body of current conducting fluid such as mercury. One pair of cooperating electrodes is disposed adjacent each end of .the' container, the inner electrodes of each pair being connected together. This switch 18 of the type commonly called a single pole double-throw switch having a common terminal 40 connected to the inner electrodes of each pair of coacting electrodes 41 and 42. p The remaining electrodes will be designated as 43 and 44.

The contactor 39 is shown in a position such that the electrode 41 is connected to the electrode-43 by means of the current conducting fluid contained in the contactor. By assuming that a combustion has taken place in the burner or boiler, the bimetallic element or thermostatic means mounted in the stack actuates the rod to tilt the contactor 39 to a position wherein an electrical circuit is completed through each pair of coacting contacts by means of the mercury extending across substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube occupying a substantially horizontal position. A further rotation of the actuating rod to tilt the contactor 39 will obtain a position wherein the mercury is caused to bridge the electrodes 42 and 44 to complete an electrical circuit therethrough. This construction will hereinafter be referred to as an overlapping switch for reasons which, as has been described, are apparent.

The pressure operated boiler switch 32 comprises a casing mounted on a diaphragm chamber. A diaphragm 45 is extended between the flanged portions to form an upper and lower chamber 46 and 47. the lower chamber 47forming a pressure chamber into which pressure is admitted through the conduit 48. A mercury tube contactor 49 is pivotally mounted within the casing and comprises the usual sealed container having spaced cooperating electrodes disposed theren and a ody of current conducting fluid morder to make-and-break an electrical circuit therethrough. The contactor 49 is tilted by means of a'vertically disposed member 50 having a link extending to be secured to an arm extending from a pivotal mounting of the contactor. The actuator has a substantially horizontally extending portion for engagement with an upright member actuated by the diaphragm 45. It will be apparcut that any change in pressure in the pressure chamber will be recorded on the diaphragm 45 to raise or lower the vertically extending member in engagementwith the actuator 50 to tilt the contactor 49 in a direction to inake-or-break an electrical circuit thcrethrough.

The pull and hold coils 20 and 21, respectively, are energized by the overlapping stack switch 33 and are fed with energy from the secondary of a constant current or leaky transformer 51, the primary of which is constantly across the 110 volt line. The low voltage obtained from the leaky transformer is used to operate the pull and hold'coils through the low voltage stack switch 33 and the low voltage room thermostatic switch 34. The leaky transformer 51 is well known in the art and comprises a transformer, the core of which is completely magnetically saturated at the lowest volta e which could be ap lied to the primary of t e transformer, and t e additional flux due to increase of primary voltage over the saturated point is shunted around a leakage path.

In combination with the electrical devices just described in the lower voltage circuit, resistance element of the low voltage heat coil 52" is "connected in series with the pull coil winding and the contact members 520 thereof are arranged to break the common wire 40.

of the overlapping stack switch leading to both pull coil and hold coil. The motor 30, the main switch 28 and the pressure operated boiler switch 32 are connected in series in the high voltage line as is the ignition switch 13 and the ignition means 31. Assuming that the temperature in the room has dropped, the pressure in the boiler is low and therefore the contactor 49 is in a closed circuit position. Also the conductor'38 of'the room thermostatic switch is in a closed circuit position and the contactor 39 of the stack switch is in a cold position with the mercury to the left of the tube completing an electrical circuit throughithe electrodes 41 and 43, there being no combustion in the boiler or furnace. The ignition switch 13 is in its normal open circuited position with the mercury to the right in the tube. An electrical circuit now exists from one side of the secondary of the leaky transformer 51 through the contactor 38, the contact members 520 through the cold position of the contactor 39,resistance element52b of the heat coil 52, the pull coil 20 and back to the other side of the secondary. The pull coil 20 being energized, attracts the armature 24 to a second position such as is shown in Fig. 3, wherein an electrical circuit is obtained through 'both the contactors 13 and 28. An electrical circuit now'exists from one side of the high voltage line through the motor contactor 28, the contactor 49 of the pressure operated boiler switch 32 back to the other side of the-line to operate the fuel supply, At the same time, an electrical circuit is obtained from one side of the high voltage line through the ignition switch-13 and the ignition means 31 to the other side of the line to ignite the fuel fed to the burners by means 0 the motor 30.

If a proper combustion is obtained in the boiler, the contactor 39 will eventually move to a hot position with the mercury to the right in the tube, whereby an electrical circuit will exist from one side of the secondary of the transformer 51 through the contactor 38, the contact members 520 of the heat coil 52, the common terminal 40, electrodes 42 and 44 throu h the hold coil 21 and back to the other side of the secondary of the transformer. As hereinbefore stated, insuliicient power is obtained through the hold coil 21 to hold the armature 24 and the ignition switch 13 in their raised positions as shown in Fig. 3 and the ignition switch 13 is permitted to drop to a position such as is shown in Fig. 4', wherein the mercury flows away from the electrodes of the ignition switch and breaks the electrical circuit through the ignition means 31. However, the contactor 28 is permitted to, rest in a position such that the mercury remains bridged across the electrodes therein in order to continue the operation of the motor 30.

Inasmuch as the hold coil 21 is not of sulficient strength to raise the armature 24 to the position as shown in Fig. 4, it is necessar that the hold coil be energized before the pu l coil 20 is deenergized and this action is obtained by the overlapping stack switch 39.

When a predetermined tern erature has been obtained in the room, the llows 36 of the room thermostatic control 34 will actuate the arm 37 to tilt the contactor 38 to a position such that the elecrical circuit is broken therethrough. This action, of course, breaks the electrical circuit through the hold coil 21 and deenergizes the same to permit the armature 24 to drop to its normal inoperative position such as is illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the drawing. The electrical circuit through the contactor 28 is thus broken, thereby discontinuing the o eration of the motor 30 and terminatin r t e fuel supply to the burner. As there is no combustion in the furnace thereafter, the

contactor 39 of the stack switch 33 will tilt to cold osition with the mercury to the left as the t ermostatic element contracts to rotate the tube upon which the contactor 39 is mounted.

However, should proper combustion not obtain in the boiler when the ignition circuit is closed because of the lack of oil, failure of the motor to start or through interferin conditions, the contactor 39 of the stac switch 33 remains in a cold position as the thermostatic element will not be heated to actuate the rod upon which the contactor 39 is mounted. As a consequence thereof, the current supplied to the pull coil 20 will continue to flow through the resistance elements 52b of the heat coil 52 for an undue length of time and thus cause the resistance element to open the contact members 520 of heat coil 52, thereby deenergizing the pull coil which terminates the operation of the motor 30 and the ignition means 31.

By reason of the varying conditions of voltage to which an oil burner safety apparatus is subjected, low voltage control of such heating systems has not been successful heretofore to any great de ree so far as this ap licant is aware, an a satisfactory time to erance of the safety thermal release has not been heretofore successfully obtained. However, the present invention providcs for a means for minimizing the variations of voltage obtaining 1n the protective devices and consequent variations of heat in the resistor of the low voltage circuit of the safety thermal release by means of the leaky transformer. fined intermediate point in the positioning of the armature for operating the high voltage motor and ignit1on switches has been obtained in the low voltage circuit, the armature being actuated by a pair of low volt age magnetic coils controlled by means of a thermally operated overlapping stack switch.

While but a single embodiment of this in-. vention is herein shown and described, it is obvious that various modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the s irit and scope of this for controlling the ignition meansforsaid fuel supply, said main switch and said ignition switch being connected in a circuit of a comparatively high voltage, a constant current transformer, an actuator connected in circuit with the secondary. of said transformer for automatically actuating said ignition and main switches, thermal responsive means in said low voltage circuit for controlling said actuator, and a time limit cutout connected in said low voltage circuit responsive to the current flow in said secondary circuit for terminatin the operation of said actuator for the switc es for said fuel supply means and said ignition means.

2. An electrical control circuit for a heating system comprising a main switch for controlling the fuel supply thereof, a switch for controlling the ignition means for said fuel suppl said main switch and said ignition switc being connected in a circuit of a comparatively high voltage, a constant current transformer, magnetic means connected to the secondary of said transformer for actuating said ignition and main switches, a single pole double-throw switch in said low voltage'circuit responsive to the combustion of said fuelsupply forv controlling the eneriz'ation of said magnetic means, and a time imit cut-out connected in circuit with said magnetic means and responsive to the current flow in said secondary. circuit for breaking the circuit through said single pole double-throw switch to terminate the operationv of said fuel su 'ply means.

' 3. An electrical control circuit for a heating system comprising amain switch for controlling the fuel supply thereof, a switch .for controlling the ignition means for said fuel supply, said main switchand said ig- Further, a well denition switch being connected in a circuit of a comparatively high voltage, a constant current transformer, electro-magnetic means comprising a plurality of coils connected to the secondary of said transformer for actuating said ignition and said main switches, a switch responsive to variations of temperature in a room or other enclosure and connected in said low voltage circuit for the normal control thereof, a single pole doublethrow switch in said low voltage circuit responsive to the combustion of said fuel sup ply for controlling the energization of sald electro-ma'gnetic means, and a time limit cutout connected in series with said coils and responsive to the current flowing in said secondary circuit for terminating automatically the energization of said electro-magnetic means for the switches of said fuel supply means and said ignition means.

4. An electrical control circuit for a heating system comprising a main switch for controlling the fuel supply thereof, a switch for controlling the i nition means for said fuel supply, said main switch and said ignition switch being connected in a circuit of a comparatively high voltage, a constant current transformer, an actuator connected 1n circuit'with the secondary of said transformer for automatically actuating said ignition and main swtches, thermal responsive means in said low voltage circuit for controlling said actuator, and a time limit cutout connected in said low voltage circuit responsive to the current flowing in said secondar circuit for terminating the operation ofsai actuator for the switches for said fuel supply means and said ignition means.

5. An electrical control circuit for heating system comprising a main switch for con-.

trolling the fuel supply thereof, a switch for controlling the ignition means for said fuel supply, said main switch and said ignition switch being connected in a circuit of a comparatively high voltage, a constant current transformer, electro-magnetic means connected to the secondary of said transformer for actuating said ignition and main switches to close an electrical circuit therethrough, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating said ignition switch into an open circuit position while retaining said main switch in a closed circuit position, thermal responsive means in said low voltage circuit for controlling the actuation of both of said magnetic means, and a time limit cut-out connected in said low voltage circuit responsive to the current flow 'in said secondary circuit for terminating the energization of said electro-magnetic means for the switches of fuel supply means and said ignition means.

6. An electrical control circuit for an' oil burner system comprising a main switchfor' controlling the fuel supply means, a relatively high voltage circuit to be connected to said fuel supply means through said'main switch,a constant current transformer the primary'winding of which is connected to 5 said high voltage circuit, an actuator con nected in circuit with the secondary winding ofsaid transformer for automatically actuating said main switch, means responsive to combustion conditions of the oil burner for controlling the operation of said actuator, and a time limit cut-out connected in circuit with said secondary winding and responsive to the current flow in said secondary circuit for terminating the o eration of said actuator thereby automatical y opening said main switch.

7.,An electrical control circuit for an oil burner system comprising a main switch for controlling the 'fuel supply means, a relatively high voltage circuit to be connected to said fuel supply means through said main switch, a constant current transformer the primary winding of which is connected to said high voltage circuit, an actuator connected in circuit with the secondary winding of said transformer for automaticallyactuating said main switch, means connected in thevcircuit of said secondary winding that is responsive to combustion condit ons in the oil burner for controlling said actuator, and a thermally actuated time limit cut-out connected in circuit with said secondary wind ing which terminates the energization of said actuator to open automatically said main switch after a predetermined time interval of current flow in said secondary circuit which is occasioned when combustion of said oil burner fails.

8. An electrical. control circuit for a heating-system comprising a switch for controlling the fuel supply thereof, said switch being connected in a circuit of a comparatively'high voltage, a constant current transformer, an actuator connected in circuit with the secondary of said transformer for automatically actuating said switch, thermal responsive means in said low voltage circuit for controlling said actuator, and atime limit cut-out connected in said low voltage circuit responsive to the current flow in said secondary circuit for terminating the operation of said actuator.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN G. BOGLE. 

